Bebop Scales
What Are Bebop Scales?
Bebop scales are usually played in bebop. Contrary to the heptatonic scales (seven pitches per octave) they contain eight notes (octatonic scales) including chromaticisms (chromatic passing tones). They are derived for the most of them from modes of the major scale but also from the harmonic minor and melodic minor scales.
Notice that there isn’t just one Bebop Scale, but a lot of them. What we call «BeBop Scales» is a concept and not a particular scale. The principle of bebop concept is to insert an extra note (passing tone), into an existing scale/mode as major, dominant, Dorian, etc, thus giving a lot of possibilities.
The bebop scales presented in this website represent the most popular, don't hesitate to built your own.
Bebop Scales From The Diatonic Major Scale :
Formula is 1-2-3-4-5-#5-6-7. This is the major scale including a passing tone (#5) between the fifth and the sixth.
Formula is 1-2-b3-3-4-5-6-b7. Compared to the Dorian mode this scale has an additional note, a major third, between the minor third (b3) and the fourth.
Formula is 1-2-3-4-5-6-b7-7. This is the Mixolydian mode including a major seventh.
Formula is 1-b2-b3-4-b5-5-b6-b7. It has an additional fifth between the flat fifth (b5) and the minor sixth (b6).
Formula is 1-b2-3-4-5-b6-b7-7. This scale (also referred to as Altered Bebop) is derived from the fifth mode of the harmonic scale, the Phrygian dominant mode.
Other Bebop Scales
Formula is : 1-2-b3-4-5-b6-b7-7 . This scale has a chromatic passing tone (b7) between the minor sixth (b6) and the major seventh (7).
Formula is : 1-2-b3-4-5-#5-6-7. The melodic minor bebop scale is derived from the ascending form of the melodic minor scale, it has a chromatic passing tone between the 5th and 6th notes.
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The Major Bebop Scale | Guitar Diagrams and Theory
The major bebop scale is an eight note scale. Check out this jazz guitar lesson with scale charts, guitar diagrams and jazz lines for a better understanding of this useful scale. -
The Dorian Bebop Scale | Lesson with Guitar Neck Diagrams and Patterns
Check out this jazz lesson with guitar fretboard diagrams, scale charts, theory and patterns to understand and play the Dorian bebop scale also known as minor bebop scale. -
The Dominant Bebop Scale | Guitar Fretboard Diagrams, Interval Patterns and Licks
You will find in this jazz guitar lesson some patterns, neck diagrams, jazz lines and formula charts to master this dominant bebop scale. -
The Locrian Bebop Scale | Guitar Diagrams and Patterns
You will find in this jazz guitar lesson some guitar fretboard diagrams and formula charts about the Locrian bebop scale. -
The Phrygian Dominant Bebop Scale - Guitar Diagrams, Theory, Jazz Concepts, Exercises and Lines
Jazz guitar lesson with tab, diagrams, audio files, interval patterns, concepts and exercises about the Phrygian dominant bebop scale. How to use it over common jazz progressions found in jazz. -
The Harmonic Minor Bebop Scale - Guitar Shapes, Charts and Theory
This lesson with guitar shapes and charts will help you figure out the harmonic minor bebop scale. -
Melodic Minor Bebop Scale - Guitar Diagrams and Formula Charts
This guitar lesson with shapes and charts provides useful information about the melodic minor bebop scale.